Breakthrough in China
There was something memorable hiding on SI.com this morning. In the middle of a rehashing of a memorable college football weekend, there is a brief story about the 2008 Summer Olympics. The People’s Republic of China, a communist state who has taken great lengths to stamp out all spirituality among its people, is going to allow a worship center to be built in Beijing inside the Olympic Village. You can read about it here:
Yes, you can say it’s insignificant because Christians, Buddhists, Muslims and faiths of all will be using this facility. Yes, you can say the worship of Jesus Christ might be watered down because it will likely be carefully monitored. But here is the reality: The name of Jesus is going to be heard PUBLICLY in the Olympic Village, not just whispered by a few. God is moving in China and around the world, and the story of Jesus will be known.
About the Author
Jim Johnston has worked in a variety of roles, ranging from marketing to publishing to Internet development. Prior to coming to LifeWay, he worked as a reporter and editor for the Montgomery Advertiser and also as an adult-in-missions editor at the Brotherhood Commission in Memphis. Jim and his wife Tammy have been married for 23 years and have two sons, Spenser, 17, and Ethan, 10.
There have been 6 replies so far
Here’s a slightly-off-topic-probably-dumb question:
The SI article mentions state-controlled protestant worship exists today, albeit state-controlled. Any good articles/references/links out there describing what the Chinese, state-controlled, protestant teaching and practice looks like and how it differs from what we understand to be protestant?
Unless I’m mistaken, all of Christendom was “state controlled” from the time of Constantine until perhaps 300 or so years ago (way to go US constitution!). I’ve always heard that Chinese Christians are oppressed, but how exactly are they limited (I’m referring to those who operate within the government’s boundaries - not those trying to operate outside the government’s prevue)?
1 | benny
Wednesday, September 5, 2007, at 11:08am
Benny, I know only what I have heard of second-hand through those who have been to China. I have not been myself. My interpretation is the official state position is really that there is no God. As a visitor to China, you cannot talk about your faith unless you are explicitly asked about it. I am not sure what this state-sponsored church really looks like. I am guessing it is more about keeping up appearances to the rest of the world than anything. I do know there is a huge, underground, rapidly growing Christian community among the Chinese people that is not sanctioned in any way by the government. Someone who has seen this first-hand, please chime in.
2 | Jim Johnston
Wednesday, September 5, 2007, at 1:37pm
I haven’t seen first hand either, but I’ve had numerous friends who have. The only legal form of church in China is the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (‘self-governance, self-support, self-propagation’) of churches, and the China Christian Council is part of it as well. My understanding is that (among other things) the Three-Self churches don’t teach that Jesus is King or Lord, that He is coming again, or anything that might undermine the Party’s authority. I believe they also print “legal” Bibles that leave out certain verses or books of the Bible that go against what the government wants (although I’ve never seen one of them), and train pastors in their seminaries to uphold the beliefs of the Party. There are a lot of governmental restrictions and limitations in the legal churches for who can be a member, when you can meet, where you can meet, age limitations, rules against “witnessing” etc.— which leads to much suffering for the underground church. So basically the impression I’ve gotten is that it is a lot about appearances and not so much about theology, and those enforcing the rules throw out human rights when it comes to those who don’t comply with the legal forms of “church”.
Some articles that I found but haven’t read all the way through, so not sure of their credibility: http://www.strategicnetwork.org/index.php?loc=kb&view=v&id=8345 http://www.missionfrontiers.org/1988/06/j884.htm http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=1007
An incredible book to read on the underground church in China is “Safely Home” by Randy Alcorn. It’s fiction, but very much based on truth.
Here are some great resources for learning about and praying for the persecuted church in China and other places: www.persecution.com www.opendoorsusa.org
Sign up to pray for China every day leading up to the Olympics: http://www.opendoorsusa.org/content/view/156
3 | Ashley
Thursday, September 6, 2007, at 12:58pm
The Chinese church is difficult to sum up in any sort of brief statement. To oversimplify, churches fall into two categories: registered and unregistered (what you often hear talked about as “underground”). Ashley, you are right that the government does allow people to gather in the registered TSPM churches. In many places, these churches are teaching truth (although they are limited by what they can teach and have to tow the official line). On other places, they are more controlled. The number of TSPM churches don’t even begin to match up to the needs of the population. While it is not illegal to believe in God, it is against their laws to share when you have not been asked. Anyone who worships in a church gathering that isn’t “registered” is risking some serious consequences.
The situation is a bit more complicated that that….but I’ll point out a few things that stand out in light of the situation: 1. God is doing amazing things in China and the church is growing despite many challenges. 2. While the church is growing, most of the 1.3 billing people there still have never had a chance to hear the gospel.
I’d recommend reading “Jesus in Beijing” if you want some background on the church in China. Good reading!
4 | Kate Nelson
Tuesday, September 11, 2007, at 3:31pm
Kate and Ashley, Thanks for enlightening me with your comments. I am going to pick up “Jesus in Beijing.” We’re going to post a video blog in the next week or so about a group who went on mission in Asia this summer. Stay tuned for that.
5 | Jim Johnston
Tuesday, September 11, 2007, at 3:34pm
just found this:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6994673.stm
i wonder how/if this will effect persecution? hm.
6 | Ashley
Friday, September 14, 2007, at 10:15am
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